Xi Beta, Eastern Kentucky University

About Xi Beta Chapter

Xi Beta was founded on September 11, 1982 at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY. We've been around 36 years and going strong!

Our chapter is a part of Delta Zeta Region 13. We currently have a total of 83 members in our chapter and our average GPA is 3.29! For the academic year Fall 2016 through Spring 2017 our chapter has donated 7463 service hours and $8318.95!

Chapter News

Since August of 2015, the Xi Beta chapter of Delta Zeta at Eastern Kentucky University has taken pride in sending a group of veterans off before their Honor Flight out of Kentucky. The organization responsible for such an event, The Honor Flight Network, is a non-profit dedicated to transporting veterans to Washington D.C. so they may visit the memorials meant to honor the sacrifices of themselves and their friends. Much of the world we presently live in is thanks to the service of these individuals. As such, the women of Delta Zeta at EKU believe it of the utmost importance to extend our gratitude. This year, the Honor Flight tour date attended was on September 26th, 2017. On that fateful day, we greeted the veterans at the Lexington airport at 6 am. While it may be an early start, everyone is a morning person on that date. Any member, whether it be their first or last Honor Flight experience could attest to the validation that comes from chatting with and watching those men and women board their plane. In fact, Emma Peterson, a newly initiated member of the sorority marked her first experience as indescribable. When reflecting on the event she made the following statement:

“While we know we are raising money for veterans, you don’t actually realize how big of an impact you’re making until you go to the airport and talk with them.”

She claims that her favorite moment was seeing the veterans walking to board the plane “because it makes you realize that without our help, some of those amazing men and women would never be able to see the memorials and monuments dedicated to their service and sacrifice”. She even said she would be more than happy to extend her service by attending more Honor Flights throughout the year.This year, the Xi Beta chapter took it a step further with our first ever Honor Run 5k. The course was 3.2 miles and housed on Eastern’s campus. It took place on the evening prior – September 25th. The run raised $3,800. This sum was of course donated to The Honor Flight Network. In addition to a donation, this year we have two members that will be accompanying the veterans on an Honor Flight trip as well. Sara Reitz and Kara Tolley will be visiting Washington D.C. on May 26th. We cannot wait to hear about their experience. Sara Reitz, the chapter president, has been participating in Honor Flight since we began supporting the cause in 2015. She reflects on her gratifying experience:

“It is so amazing to see how the chapter has been able to grow in the way we support our Nation’s veterans. I’m so proud of the Xi Beta chapter and the $3,000 donation that we were able to make towards them this past fall. I hope the legacy of helping Honor Flight is one that we can continue forever.”

Needless to say, the women of Delta Zeta at EKU are forever humbled by their annual encounter with the veterans of Honor Flight. We only hope that our efforts and donations bring as much joy to the veterans as they have to us.

On Friday, September 15, 2017, the Xi Beta Chapter at Eastern Kentucky University hosted its first annual Honor Run 5K.

The chapter raised $3,000 to donate to Honor Flight, which covers the cost to send seven war veterans to Washington D.C. to view the historic war monuments housed in the nation's capital in tribute to those who have fought for our freedom.

"On Saturday morning," said Hailey Shelman, LAMP Editor and Historian, "we had the pleasure of getting to meet and talk to veterans that fought for our freedom, along with presenting them with the money donated to them. We have been going to Honor Flight each semester, for the past four years, and each year continues to get better. This is such a heartwarming experience and we are so glad Delta Zeta has given us the opportunity to be a part of something so amazing!"

Lora enjoys a day at Keeneland in Kentucky with her Delta Zeta sisters.

Lora Perkins Snider is an alumna of the Xi Beta Chapter at Eastern Kentucky University. She is a former financial adviser who has given more than 25 years of service to Delta Zeta.

In college, Lora never considered herself to be a sorority girl but decided to give it a try after talking to a friend. She became a founding member of the Xi Beta Chapter in 1981, and the chapter was officially installed in 1982.

“We fit in well with the university and recruited top members,” said Lora. Her favorite part of being a collegiate member was the sisterhood events. “Living together was fun and that experience pulled everyone together as a group.”

Lora graduated with a business degree in 1984. She then moved to New York and worked for four years in retail management. She moved back to Kentucky and became the Executive Director of University Business Services at EKU in 1989.

She became the financial advisor for Xi Beta starting in the mid-1990s. It was a perfect fit for her because it flowed through EKU accounting, which is a department she worked with. She went on to serve as College Chapter Director for four years starting in 2006. She eventually went back to serving as financial advisor.

Lora keeps in touch with her pledge class. They have had several reunions and she also located her little sister, who was residing in Canada. The charter members try to get together at least once a year, typically at Keeneland in Kentucky for horse racing.

For many years, Lora has hosted the bid day cookout for Xi Beta Chapter. “Those are always fun," she said. "The first time we held the picnic, all of the women sat in a circle and stated their pledge year. They laughed when we got to mine!”

Lora said alumnae involvement is very rewarding, and she loves getting to know the collegiate members. She is married and has two daughters, one of which is an alumna member of Delta Zeta at EKU.

The Xi Beta Chapter is thankful to Lora Snider for graciously giving her time to Delta Zeta over the years!

Brittany Ellis, Philanthropy Chairman for the Xi Beta Chapter at Eastern Kentucky University, received the first place Kentucky Press Association Award for a newspaper story she wrote."Receiving a KPA award as an intern meant so much to me because it showed that I am a true writer and journalist. It was a big accomplishment for me."